Reading to Learn

Study Reading is different than other types of reading. You must:

Process information
Check your comprehension
Keep records/notes

"Prior Knowledge" is the key to reading for information; the more you already know about a topic the easier it is to read about it. How do you gain prior knowledge? Read on.

SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review):

Survey:	Why? To focus on the subject To remember what you know To organize the information in your mind To look for main ideas To make time management decisions How? Read the chapter title and headings Read objectives, if they’re listed Read the summary and/or the last paragraph Study illustrations and graphic
Question:	Why? To help you concentrate/focus To give purpose to your reading and something to look for To help you search your memory for what you already know How? Convert titles/headings to question form, e.g. “What is . . . .” Challenge statements in the text, e.g. “How could that be true?” Ask “Why” and other “W” questions
Read:	Why? To comprehend To learn How? Look for ideas instead of words Follow the organization: main ideas, supporting details, transitions Think as you read Vary your pace; slow down or back up if you lose your way Answer your questions as you go
Recite:	Why? To check your comprehension To remember what you’ve read To learn How? After reading each section, look up from your text and recite the main points Don’t go on to the next section until you can do this
Review:	Why? To remember/learn what you’ve read To help you think and make connections To be sure you know the material To check your understanding To enhance your participation How? After reading an entire chapter (or a major section), go through it section by section and check your recall of the main ideas If you can’t recall, review your notes and recite Periodically, go back through all chapters in a unit and review

Keeping records/Taking notes:

Why take notes from/in your text book:

To help maintain concentration
To give a multi-sensory experience to your assignment (writing/learning)
To help you think and make connections
To save time and make your notes more efficient
To help you find important information quickly
To make your text easier to review

How: Suggestions for taking text notes:

Read first and mark selectively
Number important ideas (key words: “first,” “then”)
Add subheadings if necessary; use your own if the author doesn’t have any
Mark special vocabulary; write definitions in margins if needed
Write your own ideas in margins, including connections with other classes
Write questions as you read
Write brief summaries at the ends of sections
Make outlines of main ideas
Make maps
Make study sheets

Hints for reading difficult material:

Eliminate distractions
Slow down
Read when you’re alert, for a limited amount of time
Use resources in your text: outlines, summaries, glossaries (prior knowledge)
Look up new words if there aren’t too many (good readers use context)
Talk through passages; explain them to yourself
If you get lost, go back to the passage where you understood last; make connections as you re-read
Increase your prior knowledge; ask your teacher, read something else on the same subject